THE BIG FOUR STORY

THE BIG FOUR STORY:Chapter 46 - To lose a loved one

Rapunzel's P.O.V

I’ve never ran so fast in my life. I struggled to keep my hair from getting caught on different things in the forest, but I still somehow managed. “Hiccup!” I shouted as I ran deeper into the forest. There was no response. “Hiccup answer me!” I tried again. There was no response again. I groaned in frustration and threw down my hair that I was carrying in my arms. “Where is that guy?!” I exclaimed as I pulled at my hair. Pascal crawled to my shoulder and chirped loudly. “What is it Pascal?” I asked as I plucked him off my shoulder and held him in my hands. The tiny chameleon nodded upwards. I looked up to see both Jack and Hiccup battling it out in the sky. “Great how am I supposed to get up there?” I asked no one in particular. I continued my way through the forest as I constantly glanced up at the battle above me. Suddenly I reached a patch of trees that blocked my view of Jack and Hiccup. I hustled out of that area until I reached another opening. I looked up into the sky for my friends, but they were gone. “Great how am I supposed to find them now?” I groaned. I sighed in frustration. “Wait did it get colder?” I asked myself as I continued to breathe deeply. The heat from my breath was meeting the cold air creating a small cloud condensation.  “Jack must be close by!” I stated excitingly. I followed the feeling of the cold air until I reached a large opening of trees. The ground was both torched and frozen over. “They must have fought here.” I stated to Pascal. It hurt to realize that my best friends were fighting against one another. “This isn’t right.” I cried. Suddenly I felt a wave of emotion as I realized the connection and relationship I had with Jack. “What if I have to fight him?” I asked myself.  “I don’t think I’ll be able to do it Pascal.” I cried. Pascal leaned against my neck lovingly. “Thanks Pascal.” I stated as I patted him gently.  “I have to be strong.” I declared as I moved onward once more through the forest. I followed the drop in temperatures until sudden it became hot, a lot hotter than an island up north should be. I pushed aside a large bush and moved through. I suddenly met with fire. I jumped back to distance myself from the flames. I looked around frantically hoping I could find either one of the boys. “Hiccup? Jack?” I called. On the other side of the flames I could see the land was not even with the terrain that I was standing on. There was a crater below me. Further down I could see a couple of fallen trees, and something that looked like a frozen pond or lake. “Rapunzel!” A voice shouted. I turned to see Merida proudly sitting on top of Toothless. “Merida!” I called as I ran to her. “I’m so glad you managed to stay in one piece, I thought for sure you would pick a battle with someone down there.” I teased as I hugged her after she dismounted Toothless. “Haha good one Punzie. So did you find Hiccup yep?” She asked me. “Yeah about that….” I trailed. “I know, but who said I was smart?” a familiar voice stated. “Hiccup?” Both Merida and I exclaimed in unison. We looked down to the crater below and saw that two well-known figures were conversing. “Jack! Hiccup!” I shouted. Both boys looked toward us. Merida readied her bow and aimed at Jack. “Hiccup, is Frosty normal yet?” She question. “I’m afraid not.” Hiccup called. “Merida you’re not thinking about shooting him are you?” I asked her as I gently placed my hand on her arm. Slowly she lowered her bow and turned to me. “If it comes to it maybe.” She answered. “What’s the situation Hic?” I asked. “Well Jack’s staff is stuck under a falling tree so he’s pretty much powerless right now!” Hiccup explained. “That’s what you think!” Jack shouted as he charged Hiccup. The boys began to wrestle on the ground throwing multiple punches and kicks. “We have to get in there before Hiccup gets hurt.” Merida stated with a hint of desperation. I agreed and quickly gestured to Toothless. We both mounted the dragon smoothly and assured him into the crater below. With  one strong kick off the ground the dragon was in the air. Since Toothless couldn’t fly without Hiccup the landing was a bit shaky but we landed none the less. Merida and I dismounted the dragon quickly and ran over to the boys. Jack was beating Hiccup constantly. He didn’t let up in any way, with each punch he threw he hit harder each time. Hiccup was no longer fighting back; he lay limply on the ground as Jack punched him. “Hiccup!” Merida cried as she fired an arrow at Jack.  He took the arrow straight in the arm and fell over. Merida slung her bow over her shoulder as she ran to Hiccup. She pulled him into her lap and cradled his head. “Hiccup, Hiccup listen to me…..You’re going to be alright just stay with me.” Merida cried as she smoothed his hair. His face was swollen and bloody. Along the sides of his chin and jaw were faint bruises. I touched them gently. They were cold to the touch. “What is it Punzie?” Merida asked as she saw me pull back my hand in surprise. “I think he has frostbite.” I stated. Merida frowned and quickly brushed her fingertips alongside the darkened skin. “It’s freezing!” She exclaimed. Suddenly the darkened color began to spread. Hiccup’s cheeks and lips were now the same color. “No way ordinary frostbite spreads that fast.” Merida stated as gripped Hiccup’s hand tightly. “That’s because it isn’t ordinary frostbite love.” Jack stated as he stood up and pulled the arrow out of his arm. “What did you do?!” Merida shouted. “Well you see Hiccup’s spent a little too much time with me and my staff. Let’s see he must have taken a pretty hard beating earlier and then when you two walked in, well that’s just say he didn’t exactly have the warmest greeting from me.” Jack explained. “You monster!” Merida insulted. “How could you do that to your own friend?” I questioned. “He isn’t my friend sweet cheeks, but you could be my friend, maybe even my girlfriend if you wanted.” He laughed.  I blushed slightly at his comment. Even though it clearly wasn’t Jack any more this Dark Jack still had the same approach to flirting. He circled me slowly as he stared at me as if I was prey. “Jack please you need to stop this.” I begged. “And what would you do if I did?” He asked me. “What would you want me to do?” I questioned. “Punzie be careful!” Merida cried. “Shut it frizz ball!” Jack snapped. “Hmm what would I have you do?” Jack pondered. He stepped closer and stroked my cheek softly. “First I’d have you kiss me.” He whispered as he pecked my cheek gently. I shoved him roughly and stepped back. “Hands off you jerk!” I shouted as I wiped my cheek with the back of my hand. Dark Jack chuckled as he scratched the back of his head. “Aww don’t be like that blondie, you should be charmed.” Jack laughed.  “Sorry to tell you this but you’re not my type.” I snapped mockingly. “Oh and who is, the other Jack?” He questioned. Suddenly I felt my tough expression soften. “I knew it, you’re stuck on him.” He mocked. “Well sorry to tell you this love but he’s not coming back.” Dark Jack stated.  “I don’t believe you.” I stated as tears began to swell in my eyes. “Aww don’t cry snowflake, you’re better off without him anyways. After all he’s just an immature boy; he makes a mess wherever he goes. I mean look what he did to his friend.” Dark Jack explained. “You did that!” I screamed. “Mer-Mer-Merida?” I heard Hiccup struggle to get out. “I’m here Hic, I’m here.” She whispered back. “Is he alright?” I asked. “I don’t know Punzie the frost bite is spreading still.” Merida answered. “Jack has a broken heart.” Hiccup coughed out. Jack visibly tensed at his words. “Rapunzel is the only one who can save him.” Hiccup explained. Dark Jack’s eyes suddenly honed in on me. “Oh so this is the person you were saying who could stop me Hic.” Jack laughed. Hiccup ignored his comment and continued to gaze at Merida. “Merida I don’t feel so good.” He stated. “You’re alright; you’re going to be alright.” Merida cried as tears ran down her face. Hiccup lifted his hand and gently wiped away her tears. “Please don’t cry Merida.” He begged. “Don’t worry about me, worry about Jack and Punzie they need you now.” Hiccup stated. “But I need you!” Merida cried. “Don’t worry I won’t be gone for long, Merida.” Hiccup whispered. He exhaled slowly and his hand fell from her face. His limp arm hit the ground as his eyes closed. “Hiccup? Hiccup? No, no, no, no, no!” Merida screamed as she hugged his body. I ran to her side and hugged her tightly as she laid her head on his chest. We cried together until Jack interrupted us. “Ah so the little bugger finally stopped kicking huh?” He teased. “You bastard this is your fault!” Merida shouted as she stood up and aimed her arrow straight for his heart. “Merida don’t!”  I begged. “Remember what Hiccup said?” I asked. She nodded her head yes but still pointed the arrow at Jack. Toothless nudged Hiccup with his head gently. “He’s gone Toothless.” Merida choked out as she lowered her bow and knelt down next to Hiccup’s body. She stroked his cheek lovingly. “Don’t leave us Hiccup.” She whispered as she gently pressed her lips to his cold, dead ones. “Well isn’t that sweet?” Dark Jack laughed. “It’s too bad he was such a fun play thing.” He laughed. “That’s enough Jack.” I barked. He straightened at my tone.  “Get out of here!” I screamed as bent down and started throwing rocks at him. “Hey! What are-“ Jack tried as he dodged the rocks I was throwing at him. “In case you haven’t noticed I can’t fly without my staff!” He shouted as I tripped over my hair and fell down. “You really are clumsy for a Princess.” He laughed as he offered his hand to me. I didn’t take his hand; instead I got up on my own. “What are you talking about?” I questioned. “That’s for another day.” He laughed. “I’ve just had enough of you! First you kill my friend! Then you talk in riddles! I think it’s time for you to leave!” I cried. “Ouch that hurt, you do realize that your Jack is still in here, and fully aware of what’s happening around him?” Dark Jack explained. “No I didn’t know that.” I whispered. “Well that’s just say your words are paining him so much more than you could ever realize.” He laughed. I approached the fallen tree that was on top of Jack’s staff. I tugged on it in hope it would easily slid out from under the tree. “It’s not going to budge.” Jack laughed as he appeared by my side.  I tied my hair around the staff and then hooked the strand on a branch above me. I tugged with all my might and slowly the staff slid out from under the tree. “Wow that’s impressive, thanks for the help Blondie.” Dark Jack thanked. He reached for his staff but I quickly stepped backwards. “This is your entire fault.” I cried. I couldn’t help but cry as I conversed with him. “Why are you doing this!” I screamed as I pointed his staff at him accusingly. “Because it was fun.” He chuckled. “Fun? You thought toying with us, killing one of us was fun?!” I shouted. “Yeah I did sweet cheeks.” He stated as he grabbed for his staff again.  “Merida, take Hiccup back to the village on Toothless.” I stated as I tried to hold back a sob. “Punzie….”Merida trailed as she wiped her eyes. “Just do it.” I snapped. Merida seemed surprised by my sudden change in personality, but I knew it was the only way for her to listen to me.  “Be careful Rapunzel.” She bided as she took off on Toothless with Hiccup in her arms. Once they were gone I brought my attention back to Dark Jack. I scoffed slightly as I saw he was patiently waiting for me to start talking again.  I gripped his staff tightly in my hands. “You’re shaking.” He pointed out. “Are you cold?” He asked as he moved closer. “Don’t come any closer Jack!” I exclaimed. “Hey you wanted me to leave, and the only way for me to do that is with my staff so I suggest you just give it to me so I can be on my way!” He shouted back. “I can’t let you do that!” I exclaimed. “Why not?” He asked with obvious curiosity in his golden eyes. “Because I can’t let you hurt anyone else.” I answered. “Is that all?” He questioned.  I nodded my head yes as more tears spilled from my eyes.  I couldn’t show any weaknesses right now, he would just use them against me. “Then what is your plan?” He questioned. “What do you mean?”  I asked. “How do you plan to keep me from hurting you and taking that staff from your cold, dead, hands?” Dark Jack asked.  “That’s for me to know and you to find out.” I stated. Dark Jack suddenly began to laugh hysterically. “Oh that was just priceless, did old Jack teach you that line?” He mocked. “That’s enough!” I barked as I pointed the staff at him. “That isn’t going to work for you, you know? The staff only answers to me, good or bad.” He explained. I lowered the staff slowly but still kept my guard up.  “Why don’t you just give it to me before you hurt yourself snowflake.” Jack stated. “No, not until the real Jack is back.” I exclaimed. “You won’t quit will you? Don’t you understand he isn’t coming back doll face?” Dark Jack shouted. “I don’t believe you.” I cried.  “Fine but you asked for this….” Jack trailed. “Huh what?” I gasped. Suddenly Dark Jack charged me. He tackled me to the ground and pinned my arms above my head. “This could have been so much easier love.” Dark Jack whispered in my ear. “Let me go!” I screamed. Dark Jack reached for his staff that was on the ground next to me. I pushed him away and quickly got up but he grabbed my ankle and pulled me back to him. “You’re not getting away that easily.” He stated as he dragged me back. “And you aren’t getting me that easily.” I snapped back as I wiggled out of his grip. I made a run for the staff but I felt my hair pull me back. I looked over my shoulder to see Jack hunched over. He was pressing his hand against his chest in pain. “Punzie….run…please you have to get away.” Jack pleaded. “Jack you’re back!” I cried as I ran to him.  “No don’t!” He shouted. “Rapunzel take my staff and run! I can’t keep him contained much longer please go!” He begged. “But Jack….” I cried. “Go!” He shouted as he fell to his knees. I did as I was told and ran into the forest with Jack’s staff in hand, and I didn’t look back.

These characters are in no way mine. No copyright infringement is intended, all these characters are owned by Disney or DreamWorks.